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Otto von Bismarck used war to unify Germany.
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Germany is declared to be a "satisfied power" and is no longer pursuing war.
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Bismarck forms Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary.
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Italy joins the Dual Alliance, creating the Triple Alliance. Bismarck also formed a treaty with Russia.
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Kaiser Wilhelm II takes power and forces Bismarck to resign. Foreign Policy changed dramatically. He allows the treaty with Russia to lapse.
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Russia and France form an Allicance in response to Germany's refusal to renew the treaty.
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Britain joins the Alliance between France and Russia, creating a Triple Entente.
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Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzgovina, which had a huge Slavic population. The Serbian leaders were enraged and tensions rose.
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Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot in Bosnia by a member of a secret nationalist societ called the Black Hand. Austria decided to presented Serbia with a list of ultimatims. Serbia tried to negotiate.
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Austria Declares war on Serbia. Russia, an ally of Serbia also declares war on Austria.